<p>Swavo,</p>
<p>Thanks so much for sharing! It sounds like I am close to the position you were when you were deciding on schools. I live in MA, and I know that everyone I talk to sort of looks down on umass-amherst, mostly because of the percieved student body and its size. However, I’m not really sure what I want to do academically, and although I’ve got good stats (4.0, 2160), I really don’t know if I’m motivated enough to both make through my classes AND have fun at other schools I’m considering, like Tufts and Brown. It sounds like I’d be able to not stress too much about classes I didn’t care for at UMASS, and focus more on figuring out what I’m interested in, and on enjoying my college years! Also, I visited and liked the area, though not so much the campus, and I’m aware that it is getting more and more competitive and respected, plus comcoll is a nice bonus. I don’t want to put my family through financial hell just so I can feel good about being at a big name school, but at the same time I know all my friends will be going off to ivy’s and the like, and as sad as it sounds, I don’t know if I can let them “beat” me like that, even if I know I am making the right decision on the inside.</p>
<p>Do you have any more advice, experience, or thoughts that went through your head to share with me? Your first post was very insightful though, thanks!</p>
<p>Also, if it matters, I’m interested in the humanities, mostly english, and not math or science.</p>